Three Cool...One Warm

Vegetables fall into two categories, cool and warm weather crops.  Cool weather crops grow best at temperatures that average fifteen degrees cooler than warm weather crops.  Most can handle a frost and for some vegetables, a frost actually enhances flavor.  Cool weather vegetables need to grow to maturity during cool weather otherwise they will bolt (go to seed) or become bitter in taste.

Here is a list of both cool and warm weather crops.

I try to get my cool weather crops into the ground as early as possible. The hoophouse is ready two to three weeks earlier than the outdoor beds.  Last year I planted in the hoophouse on April 14th; this year I am hoping for the first week of April.  The seeds that will be sown directly into the hoophouse beds will include lettuce, spinach, arugula, beets, and peas. I will also transplant some of the seedlings started indoors, such as arugula, spinach, and lettuce.  Agribon 19 fleece will be used in the evenings and on cloudy days as needed.

Until recently, I would only plant cool weather crops in early spring as soon as the soil became workable. But last year, I planted another round of cool weather crops in the outdoor raised beds in late summer for a fall/winter harvest.  I hope for even better results this year.

Today I sowed indoors under lights three cool weather vegetables:

Arugula (Roquette):  Livingston, Seeds, 2014. Planted one 6-pack, 1/4" deep.  Days to maturity, 40. Characteristics: sun to partial shade, 6" tall, robust, peppery flavor, harvest 6" tall, succession planting every two weeks.

Kale (Blue Vates Scotch Curled): Dollarseed, 2013.  Planted one 6-pack, 1/4" deep.  Days to maturity, N/A. Characteristics: thin to 12" apart, pick early for baby greens.

Kale (Winterbor): Fedco Seeds, 2012.  Planted one 6-pack, 1/4" deep.  Days to maturity, 60. Characteristics:  thin to 12" apart, pick early for baby greens.

I also started one warm weather crop, an early tomato, intended for the hoophouse:

Tomato (Independence Day):  Livingston Seed, 2014. Plant five 3" pots each with two pelletized seeds, 1/4" deep.  Expected germination time, 5-10 days.  Days to maturity, 55.  Characteristics: heirloom, sun, 2-3' spacing, 2 1/2' tall, tomatoes by July 4th, orange-red fruits 2.5" in diameter, sweet flavor.

Postscript #1 - One Grecian Rose germinated (sown February 28, 11 days).